Free Open University postgraduate / microcredential courses worth up to £3200 (Northern Ireland Only) @ Open University

The Open University in Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Department for the Economy, is offering a limited number of fully funded postgraduate and microcredential courses to help you reskill and upskill into areas where job growth is expected.

According to MSE, there are 1,400+ places available for 27 courses, which normally cost up to £3,200, but they'll be free if you apply by 11.59pm on Thursday 8 September.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for a fully funded place you must be:

• domiciled in Northern Ireland
• eligible to work in Northern Ireland
• settled in Northern Ireland, and ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years or have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK
• over 18 years of age

In addition, you must meet the individual entry requirements for your chosen module. These can be viewed by following the links for each of the courses listed below.

How to apply

Registrations for fully funded postgraduate and microcredential places must be completed using the relevant application form below by midnight on 8 September 2022. Please do not register using the course links at the bottom of the page

• The Open University in Ireland Postgraduate: Skill-Up Autumn 2022
• The Open University in Ireland Microcredentials: Skill-Up Autumn 2022

If you have any questions, you may find some useful answers in our frequently asked Skill-up questions which also includes a link to our application guidance notes. They include key information about how to apply, entry requirements, key timescales and contact information, as well as other useful information about microcredential study. Please note applicants to the Flexible Skills Fund can apply to study up to two courses at any one time.

Postgraduate courses

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths
Courses start: 1 November 2022

• Data management
• Managing change with systems thinking in practice
• Network security
• Strategic capabilities for technological innovation
• Technology and innovation management

Leadership and Management
Courses start: 5 November 2022

• Creating and sustaining value
• Effective strategic management in business and the public sector
• Entrepreneurship in context
• Financial markets and the financing of organisations
• Managing in a changing world
• Supply chain management
• Sustainable creative management

Undergraduate microcredentials
Undergraduate microcredentials start on 24 October and run for 10 weeks.

Computing and digital technologies

• AWS: Machine Learning Foundations
• AWS: Solutions Architect
• Cisco: CCNA – Introduction to Networks
• Cisco: DevOps using DevNet
• Cisco: Python Programming (OpenEDG)

Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability

• Climate Change: Transforming your Organisation for Sustainability

Leadership and management

• Business Management: Financial Accounting for Non-Financial Roles
• Business Management: Fundamentals of Management Accounting
• Business Management: Marketing Principles and Practice
• Business Management: People Management and Leadership
• Business Management: Project Management

Postgraduate microcredentials
Postgraduate microcredentials start on 10 October and run for 12 weeks.

Computing and digital technologies

• Cyber Security Operations (Cisco)

Leadership and management

• Agile Leadership and Management
• Management of Change: Organisation Development and Design

Teacher development and inclusive learning

• Teacher Development: Embedding Mental Health in the Curriculum